Local News

GP Police Collared Man Wanted on 2 MPD Warrants at NE B Street Residence
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on two outstanding warrants at a northeast city residence early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 28-year-old Allen Totten Behrle at a home in the 100-block of NE B Street on Wednesday at 5:18 a.m.. Police said they observed Behrle and knew him from previous criminal contacts. They said a routine records check revealed that he was wanted on two Medford Police Department warrants for 1st-Degree Theft, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. After confirming the warrants with MPD, officers placed Allen Behrle into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 12/7/23 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Man for Causing Motel Disturbance Based on Middle East War
Grants Pass Police jailed a man this week for causing a disturbance at a north-city motel that was based on the current conflict in the Middle East. The Police Department reports 29-year-old Nishad Vishwas Dawkhar was arrested at the Motel 6 on NE 7th Street around midday Tuesday. Police said Dawkhar was observed at the motel yelling at the manager. They said he was detained by officers and displayed indicators of impairment. Management presented video of the incident showing the suspect claiming that he had a gun and yelling about Hamas. During a consent search, no firearm was located. Nishad Dawkhar was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 12/7/23 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
 

Applications Being Accepted for One Seat on GP Parks Advisory Committee
Applications are now being accepted for an open position on the Grants Pass Parks Advisory Committee. This is a three-year appointment. The purpose of this committee is to review and make recommendations related to the needs and locations of new parkland and trail locations, park planning, allocation of recreation resources between users, preservation of park resources, and funding. The Grants Pass City Council desires to have a balance of viewpoints and demographic representation on the committee including individuals with interest or experience representing athletic leagues, individuals knowledgeable in natural resource preservation, people involved with recurring park events, frequent park users and individuals who use park family-friendly play facilities. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 5th.
Posted on 12/7/23 6:19AM by Sam Marsh
 

Board of Commissioners Approves Library District Withdrawal Petition in Split Decision
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Following a lengthy public hearing on Wednesday, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved a citizen petition that withdraws a property from the local library district. The Board voted 2-1 to approve the petition submitted by the Mike & Winnie Pelfrey Trust to withdraw their property from the Josephine Community Library District. Commissioner Dan DeYoung cast the lone dissenting vote. Both Mike and Winnie Pelfrey testified that the library district does not benefit their property, but a district representative contended that the "wrong" decision sets a bad precedent that will be felt across the state. There was ample public testimony both for and against the withdrawal petition. For the record, withdrawing their property from the library district will save the Pelfreys $111.63 each year in taxes. It should be noted that Mike Pelfrey is an outspoken government critic who was defeated in a recent attempt to be elected to the JCLD Board of Directors. Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West said since property owners have the right to opt in to the library district, they should also have the option to opt out. In other business, the Board unanimously approved the certified results of the November 7th special election and formed the Josephine County Law Enforcement District.
Posted on 12/7/23 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass City Council Dispatched Several Action Items in Efficient Business Meeting
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The Grants Pass City Council took care of several action items on Wednesday night during an efficient regular business meeting. In the public hearing section of last night's meeting, the City Council passed two resolutions. They accepted the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program's 2022 Annual Report and the revised CDBG Citizen Participation Plan. The Council then moved on to approving the annexation of property located at 2495 Allen Creek Road into the city limits and amending the zoning map for the same property. A much-needed residential subdivision with multiple types of housing is planned for that property. On the legislative side, the panel passed an ordinance amending Grants Pass Municipal Development Code Article 7 to remove Josephine County appointments from the Urban Area Planning Commission. They also approved an amendment to the Grants Pass Parks & Recreation Master Plan and Comprehensive Community Development Plan. In other business, the City Council approved the Ordinance amending Grants Pass Municipal Code Chapter 9.40 on Reimbursement Districts.
Posted on 12/7/23 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
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Four Local Organizations Received Grants from the Oregon Heritage Commission
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The Oregon Heritage Commission has awarded more than $381,000 in grants to 33 organizations throughout the state -- including four in Southern Oregon. The grants will help fund a variety of projects including collection preservation and access, research, oral history, exhibits and performance projects. Award amounts ranged between $1,000 and $20,000. Locally funded projects include the Big Butte Historical Society to update the Butte Falls Discovery Loop, Crater Rock Museum in Central Point to rehouse the lithic artifacts collection, Southern Oregon Historical Society in Medford to digitize over 6,000 glass plate negatives of photographer Peter Britt, and the Eugene Debbs Potts Foundation in Josephine County to improve access and increase displays at the local museum. This competitive grant program is for qualifying organizations and is offered once per biennium for projects that conserve, develop or interpret Oregon's heritage. To learn more about the Oregon Heritage Commission, visit "oregonheritage.org."
Posted on 12/7/23 6:13AM by Sam Marsh
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Commissioners Approve Library District Withdrawal Petition in Split Decision
Following a lengthy public hearing this morning, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners has approved a petition that withdraws a property from the local library district. The Board voted 2-1 to approve the petition submitted by the Mike & Winnie Pelfrey Trust to withdraw their property from the Josephine Community Library District. Commissioner Dan DeYoung cast the lone dissenting vote. Both Mike and Winnie Pelfrey testified that the library district does not benefit their property, but a district representative contended that the decision sets a precedent that will be felt across the state. There was ample public testimony both for and against the withdrawal petition. For the record, withdrawing their property from the library district will save the Pelfreys $111.63 each year in taxes. Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West said since property owners have the right to opt in to the library district, they should also have the option to opt out. Commissioner DeYoung said the state statute regarding district inclusions and exclusions was vague, and he was not ready to make that decision. In other business, the Board unanimously approved the certified results of the November 7th special election and formed the Josephine County Law Enforcement District. Property owners outside the City of Grants Pass will pay 99 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value to support the district, which was officially passed by 299 votes.
Posted on 12/6/23 12:36PM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Man for Causing Motel Disturbance Based on Middle East War
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for causing a disturbance at a north-city motel that was based on the current conflict in the Middle East. The Police Department reports 29-year-old Nishad Vishwas Dawkhar was arrested at the Motel 6 on NE 7th Street on Tuesday at 11:12 a.m.. Police said Dawkhar was observed at the motel yelling at the manager. They said he was detained by officers and displayed indicators of impairment. Management presented video of the incident showing the suspect claiming that he had a gun and yelling about Hamas. During a consent search, no firearm was located. Nishad Dawkhar was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 12/6/23 12:35PM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Collared Man Wanted on Felony Warrant at Northgate Shopping Plaza
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a local felony warrant during a patrol check at the Northgate Shopping Plaza yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 21-year-old James Anthony Hall, Jr., in front of the Alibi Tavern on NW 6th Street at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday. Police said they were contacted by Hall's corrections officer earlier in the day and advised that his client was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Burglary. Officers spotted him walking through the plaza and placed him into custody without incident. James Hall was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and his bail was set at $100,000.
Posted on 12/6/23 12:33PM by Sam Marsh
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East GP Noise Complaint Resulted in Arrest of Man on 3 Medford PD Warrants
A noise complaint on the east side of Grants Pass late last night resulted in the arrest of a man wanted on three outstanding warrants. Grants Pass Police responded to the complaint in the 1800-block of NE Fairview Avenue on Tuesday around 11:40 p.m.. Police said a resident called 9-1-1 to report that there was a motorhome parked in front of his home and he could hear a couple arguing inside. The caller initially thought they heard a gunshot, but it turned out be a vehicle backfiring. In any event, the caller requested law enforcement contact due to disturbing the peace. Responding officers contacted the couple including 38-year-old Nicholas Ryan Long who was found to be wanted on three warrants issued by the Medford Police Department. Charges contained in the warrants included 3rd-Degree Robbery, 2nd-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Theft and 3rd-Degree Theft. Nicholas Long was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 12/6/23 12:32PM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Arrested One, Cited Three & Evicted All in City Park Patrols
Grants Pass Police arrested one person, cited three people and evicted all of them during city park patrols on Tuesday. During a patrol check at Baker Park, officers contacted 61-year-old Timothy Teige and discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for Criminal Trespass. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and trespassed from the park for 30 days. Alyssa Moran was cited for Illegal Camping, Unlawful Utilization of Space and Possession of Fentanyl. She was trespassed from the park for the next month. A large amount of trash was collected and taken to Southern Oregon Sanitation. During a patrol check at Morrison Centennial Park, a person identified only as "Teal" was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Unlicensed Dog while a person identified only as "Dixon" was warned for Buffer Zone Violation. Teal was issued a 30-day exclusion. Also at Morrison Centennial Park, Cierra Lokken was cited for Driving While Suspended and No Insurance. She was trespassed from the park for 30 days.
Posted on 12/6/23 12:31PM by Sam Marsh
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Authorities Investigating Another Shooting in Medford that Wounded One Person
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The Medford Police Department is investigating yet another shooting in which a person was wounded yesterday. MPD and other law enforcement agencies responded to a Tuesday shooting at an apartment complex located on the northwest corner of Roberts Road and North Keene Way. As a precaution, North Medford High School was temporarily locked down. The single victim was transported to a local hospital where they were listed in stable condition. According to a 3:30 p.m. update, law enforcement agencies had concluded the area search in east Medford and the suspect had not been located. The investigation is continuing. MPD detectives said they can confirm that this incident is not related to the recent shootings that left two men dead at an apartment complex on Highgate Street and another man wounded outside Buffalo Wild Wings on Delta Waters Road.
Posted on 12/6/23 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
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